Telling us she needs to go outside

[the_tracybrown]

My little Bichon is very good and very intelligent. She is only four months old and knows that she has to go outside to do her business and she goes to the back door but if noone is watching she will end up doing it on the floor. Are there any ideas of how I can get her to tell us.

[pappups]

We have a string of bells-leftover from Christmas-hanging on the handle to the rear patio slider. Our papillons usually bark to go outside, but if they REALLY gotta fast, the little girl swats the bells and we know she needs out in a hurry. I think somebody sells bells for this purpose, but most dogs will learn to ring anything if you spend a little time, it took less than 5 minutes to teach her to ring the bell....

[MaryAnn]

You pretty much have to stay with a puppy all the time until she thouroughly understands. You may have to attach her leash to your waist during the day (like an umblical cord) until she realizes where it is appropriate to go potty.

[marymel]

I like the idea of the bells and think I'll give it a try.

[MaryAnn]

The_tracybrown......How are the bells working?

[lucy and coco]

what a fab idea, how on earth did you teach her to ring the bells when she wanted to go, im intreaged and would love to try this but how?
lucy

[pappups]

what a fab idea, how on earth did you teach her to ring the bells when she wanted to go, im intreaged and would love to try this but how?
lucy

Our little girl, Lily, is a very fast learner, but you should be able to teach any pup through repetition. I took her little paw and patted the bells with it a couple of times while saying "ring bell", then said "good girl" and gave her a favorite dog cookie. Took about six reps of this and she got it!! Next step was to say, "outside?", then "ring bell", since she already knew what "outside" meant. She will also ring the bell on command (for a dog cookie or 'atta girl) as long as she is in the same room. Still can't get her brother Buddy to ring them, though, but haven't tried too hard.

[lucy and coco]

thank you, i am going to try, that is genius.
i will let you know how she gets on. thanks again